Lansdowne Park backlash

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Good morning! 

As October gets into full swing we are gearing up for what’s expected to be a very busy few months at city council. Tough decisions will be made on the 2026 budget, Lansdowne 2.0, and whether some controversial projects like the Tewin development should be reversed. We break down what some of this means in today’s newsletter. 

As we head deeper into the fall, we are also looking to resume our neighbourhood news series where we tell the important stories that are happening in the communities where you live. If you have any ideas please email me and I’ll do my best to look into them. 

Lastly, I am excited to join Lookout managing editor Geoff Sharpe at the Future of Independent Media Summit taking place at Carleton University this weekend. If you’re there and happen to see us, please come and say hello! We always love meeting Lookout readers. 

Let’s get to today’s news headlines.

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor, [email protected] X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Friday: 23 🌡️ 8 | ☀️ 

Saturday: 24 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

Sunday: 28 🌡️ 14 | ☀️ 

Monday: 27 🌡️ 14 | 🌤️

With possibly just weeks to go before more information becomes available on Lansdowne 2.0 costs, more city councillors are hinting where they stand. 

In his weekly newsletter, Barrhaven East Coun. Wilso Lo said that while he voted yes to the project in 2024, he only did so as a way of learning more information. Now he says he is likely to vote no, as his confidence in the project has fallen. 

“As you know, I changed my position to support the planning process back in November 2023, as I felt an uninformed no was just as bad as an uninformed yes,” Lo wrote. “Since then there have been six Lansdowne-related updates, including the auditor general’s first audit of the proposed waterfall agreement. The other updates were mostly related to planning stages, like detailed design, site plan, and non-binding contract information.”

Lo, who was not available for an interview with the Lookout on Thursday, said in his newsletter his no vote goes beyond cost. The Barrhaven area councillor said it was staff’s answers to questions which have made him the most uncomfortable.

Questions raised included what happens if there are severe labour fluctuations, the residential market slows down by the time two residential towers are constructed in 2030, or if any of the sports teams decide to pull out — a concern which has been raised given the fewer seats at the arena. 

Lo said city staff’s answers to most of these questions were “we’ll deal with it when we get there.” 

“How much debt servicing there is depends on the final cost of the project. If the mayor and staff’s $419 million figure turns out to be correct, then we’re looking at about $16 million a year in debt servicing for 40 years, starting in 2031,” said Lo. 

That would total a little less than a one per cent property tax increase, he noted, but would be higher than that if the auditor general's 2024 $493 million price tag estimate is correct — which could be even higher when the final totals are released this fall. 

It is important to note the city won't be picking up the tab for the entire project. The current existing tax base on the original number is about $160 million. The bigger chunk of the cost will be covered by the development’s residential and retail property taxes, and revenue from financial arrangements. 

During the last Lansdowne vote, there were 16 votes in support, but only 13 are needed in order for Lansdowne 2.0 to pass. The Lookout has not heard from any previous no vote councillors who intend to change their votes to yes. In fact, some previous yes votes have indicated off the record they are seriously considering changing their vote to no. 

Gloucester Southgate Coun. Jessica Bradley recently said in her newsletter that she still intends to vote no again. 

“I voted against the plan because it posed significant financial risks, failed to deliver affordable housing, and did not address key transportation and public realm concerns. Unfortunately, very little has changed since then,” wrote Bradley. 

Bradley also said the City of Ottawa is carrying the highest debt in its history, ”with urgent infrastructure needs that should take priority over a half-billion-dollar entertainment project.” She predicts the costs of the project will only rise — especially due to U.S.-imposed tariffs. 

Instead, Bradley believes a “modest investment” should be made into Lansdowne Park that would enhance the site “without exposing taxpayers to such high financial risk, but these have not been fully explored.” 

The Lookout has also spoken to College Ward Coun. Laine Johnson and Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill who both said it was too soon to give an opinion on how they’d vote. Previously, Johnson voted n,o whereas Hill voted yes.  

Here is how the last Lansdowne vote went down in November 2023:

A petition with over 6,000 signatures has been started by an advocacy group called “Better Ottawa” to encourage councillors to vote no. 

It references the $210 million Lansdowne 1.0 project, which was supposed to create $104 million in profits, which did not materialize. With Lansdowne 2.0 the city says it will generate $359 million in profits for taxpayers, but the group is worried about “broken promises.” 

“Ottawa Charge fans will lose 4,000 seats in an arena that often sells out. RedBlacks fans will lose 3,000 seats and the roof of the north side stands,” a flyer with the petition reads. “Festival goers will lose almost half of the lawn. Families lose a cherished toboggan hill. All for higher ticket prices and 40 years of debt.” 

City council was expected to debate the matter in mid to late October, though sources have indicated it could be moved to November given delays.

Get ready for the spookiest and most fun night of the season! Monster Mixtape with the NAC Orchestra is Ottawa’s ultimate Halloween concert—live on stage at Southam Hall.

Hear spine-tingling classics and magical film scores brought to life with the full power of the orchestra. From eerie chills to dazzling, playful themes you’ll instantly recognize, it’s the perfect soundtrack for Halloween night.

Come in costume and enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening that’s thrilling, festive, and full of surprises. Whether you’re with friends, family, or on a date, this is your chance to celebrate Halloween in style—no tricks, just unforgettable musical treats.

Don’t miss the concert event that proves Halloween is more fun with live music: Monster Mixtape at the National Arts Centre.

600

📦 That’s how many Ottawa-based seasonal workers Amazon says it will be hiring in advance of the winter holiday rush. Read more. [CTV]

💉 Ottawa Public Health says it was forced to close a supervised consumption site in Centretown because provincial health minister Sylvia Jones did not provide the necessary permissions for it to remain open. The Clarence St. site opened in 2017 and staff responded to 27 overdoses last year. Read more. [The Canadian Press]

🗳️ With one year to go before the city’s next municipal election, hopeful Mayoral candidate Jeff Leiper is launching a “listening tour” that will take him from Orléans to Bells Corners during a few weeks in October. A bigger campaign-style event will then be held at Beyond the Pale on Oct. 26, which is exactly one year before election day. Read more. [Kitchissippi Times]

🅿️ Businesses and customers are frustrated with the lack of consistency and clarity around paid on-street parking in Westboro and Hintonburg. Read more. [CTV]

🚊 The city says the eastern extension of light rail is still on track to open by the end of this year. It will include 12.5 kilometres of rail and five new stations along the highway median of Regional Road 174. These locations are meant to make connections easier with realigned bus routes and provide convenient stations for residents in Orléans, Blackburn Hamlet and Beacon Hill. Read more. [Capital Current]

🍎 The OCDSB’s CFO has resigned. The district cited personal reasons for his resignation. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🪧 Striking support staff blocked vehicle entrances at Algonquin College’s Ottawa campus on Thursday, ramping up pressure for a new contract. The strike, involving 10,000 support staff, began on September 11. Read more. [CTV]

🎓 The historic Algonquin College Perth Campus is for sale, but some are fighting to save the educational institution as it begins to wind down operations. According to the listing, the site has four buildings totalling 43,221 sq. ft. of net rentable area and approximately seven acres of land are deemed developable. The price is negotiable. Read more. [CTV]

🔨 It is time to say farewell to a Stittsville landmark. City Council has approved the demolition of the Flewellyn-Jones heritage designated home which was damaged by fire earlier this year. The Goulbourn Township Historical Society had tried to advocate for the decision to be delayed for “creative opportunities” to be explored. Read more. [Stittsville Central] 

🚎 Coun. David Brown says private buses might be the answer to address gaps in rural transit service. Read more. [CBC]

👮‍♂️ Ottawa police will press ahead with a body camera trial this fall, though questions remain about the cost of a larger roll-out of the devices. According to a report presented at the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting Sept. 29, the police will spend $592,896 for 30 cameras. The price tag includes hardware and software licenses for 39 months. Read more. [Capital Current]

Square Lemon October Craft Market | The Glebe Community Centre | Oct. 4th 10:30am | Over 50 local makers | Free

Designing A Better City | Rogers Centre Room 210 | October 9, 11 AM | A panel discussion on design vision, design leadership and procurement strategies; includes lunch! | Tickets $25

Can*Con: Ottawa’s Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Literature Convention | Brookstreet Hotel, 525 Legget Drive | Oct. 17–19 | Expert talks, workshops, networking, and guest authors in sci-fi and fantasy | Tickets $95

Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 | St. Joseph’s Parish, 174 Wilbrod St | Nov 9, 4:00  pm | Experience Monteverdi’s iconic masterpiece performed by Ottawa’s finest young voices | Tickets $30

The Golden Glow: Lost As Where We Are | NAC Fourth Stage, 1 Elgin Street | November 13, 8 pm | Join Ottawa songwriters Shawn Tavenier and Eric Vieweg for a night of music and stories as they debut their project The Golden Glow | Tickets $35

The Women's History Project - Monique Bégin Lecture Series | uOttawa - 200 Lees Ave | Oct. 30, 6 pm | Keynote speaker Dr. Theresa Tam with remarks by Huguette Labelle | Tickets: $30

Bharatanatyam Solo by Dr. Jayadev Raju | October 5, doors at 2:30 pm | Dance performance, complemented by an exhibition of works by artists Jacques Gaudet (Montréal) and RD Gordon (Ottawa) in the foyer | Free or by donation

Walk For The Centre 2025 | Canadian Martyrs Church, 100 Main Street, Ottawa | October 5, 1:30 pm-4 pm | Fundraiser for Centretown Community Food Centre, local musicians to play music | Free

Homes for the Holidays | Across the City | Nov 14th to 16th | Hospice Care Ottawa's signature Home Tour and Pop-Up Shop | Tickets 55$

Want to see your event here? Submit them to our event calendar.

An Ottawa city councillor is stepping in again to try and prevent the controversial Tewin development from being built. 

Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh first intended to put forward a motion in the spring to reverse the city’s approval for the 45,000 people housing site on a 445-hectare piece of land in the southeast end of the city, but delayed it due to a by-election in Osgoode at the time. 

The joint partnership development between Taggart Group and the Algonquins of Ontario, was branded as “a once-in-a-generation community that sets a new standard for thoughtful, inclusive development,” but Kavanagh said it’s not a federally recognized First Nation. 

“The City faces the serious risk of litigation and liability from the First Nations of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council if it proceeds with the Tewin development, given that the City should be aware that it mistakenly consulted and accommodated the unincorporated association of the Algonquins of Ontario rather than the rights-holding First Nations of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council,” the motion read. 

Kavanagh spoke to the Lookout back in June about her future motion, and said more consultation should be taken with Indigenous communities. She called Algonquins of Ontario an unincorporated entity created to negotiate with the governments of Ontario and Canada in the Algonquin-Ontario negotiations. Her statements were based on a quote from an Ontario Superior Court case.

There are also concerns with the high price tag for services like water. 

Newly elected Osgoode Ward Coun. Isabelle Skalski told the Lookout after being elected that while she would have handled the Tewin file differently if she was on council when the vote was made, it would be a difficult project to reverse. 

“I stand in a place where I said I've been very pragmatic about this for four years and I don't believe that this ship is turning around. I think this is about making the right choices every step along the way,” she said.

Have some thoughts on this story? Want to share some insight with the Lookout community? Share your opinion in our Comment Corner and it could be featured in future newsletters.

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October 3, 1967: Nepean Township “made another attempt to keep up with its exploding population” by opening the new $50,000 Centennial Library. Typical of the 60s, the building was constructed of patterned concrete blocks, with heavy fir laminated beams, and a plastic sky-dome at the centre of the roof. A second octagonal section was to be built later when more space was required. 

October 3, 1974: The city began investigating music teachers who may have been violating a zoning bylaw by giving lessons in their homes. The Ottawa Citizen wrote: “Inspectors will be ‘ringing the first doorbell’ in a week to 10 days.” Violators were given time to comply or appeal, and police said they were combing through newspaper classifieds to see who was in violation. 

October 3, 1987: Locked-out workers at Ottawa’s main post office threw eggs, insults, and pounded on buses carrying replacement workers from the plant. About 200 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers waited outside the Alta Vista terminal to confront their replacements. Two people were arrested, and another two people were bruised when a car sped through the picket line

Think you can guess today’s Ottawa Wordle? Play it here.